Funeral Services for Arlene Hargens, age 93, of Bristow will be at 10:30 am on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at the Bristow United Methodist Church with burial to follow at the Bristow Cemetery.  Jeff Hart will officiate.  Visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at Biglin's Mortuary in Spencer with a 7 pm prayer service.  Arlene passed away on Friday, August 21, 2026 at Alpine Village in Verdigre.  Memorials may be directed to her family for future designation.  Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary in Spencer.

Arlene Ocie Rumsey was born on May 5, 1933 near Dustin, Nebraska to Oscar and Mary (Gaul) Rumsey.  She attended school at District 1 County School near Butte through the 8th Grade.  While working in Lynch, Arlene met James Milacek at a dance, and the couple later married in March of 1950.  To this union, three children were born; Diana, Nancy, and Duane.  The couple made their home near Lynch for a time, then moved to their family farm east of Spencer in 1956.  Arlene loved the solitude of being a farm wife and really enjoyed raising chickens.  James died after a long battle with Diabetes in 1978.

In 1981, Arlene married her long-time neighbor, Allen Hargens, who, like her, had lost his spouse.  The couple opened Hargens Rock Shop in their home in Spencer, selling rocks and hand-crafted jewelry for many years.  They loved hosting school field trips where they shared their passion for geology.  They also enjoyed spending their winters in Arizona where they had a large circle of friends and entertained family when they came to visit.  Allen passed away in 1995.

Arlene was an active member of the United Methodist Church.  She loved to travel when she was able and liked spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.  Arlene was an accomplished gardener and had amazing flower beds.  She was known locally as the Flower Lady. As her health declined, she lived with her daughter, Diana, where she was surrounded by family, until a week before her death.

Arlene is survived by her two children, Diana Wendt of Bristow, Duane (Anita) Milacek of Omaha; step-daughter, Joan (Steve) Vakoc of Verdigre; 7 grandchildren, Jeff Wendt, Mandy (Todd) Maher, Michael (Brenda) Wendt, Brad Milacek, Angie Russell, Jodi (Aaron) Langhorst, Jared (Lindy) Vakoc; 16 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, James Milacek and Allen Hargens; her daughter, Nancy Milacek; her son-in-law, Wayne Wendt; and her four siblings, Arthur, Earl, Lucille, and Lee.